In the depths of Ath Velanis, Varric discovers Maevaris Tilani kidnapped and beaten, and king Maric Theirin being used by Titus to augment his power through an ancient artifact, the "Magrallen". It is revealed that Titus is collecting Maric's blood with the "Magrallen" to grant him the power of "dragonfire," carried in the Theirin's bloodline since Calenhad. Horrified by Maric's plight, Varric shatters the vessel collecting his blood.

Chapter Two

Varric and Maevaris Tilani travel together through the Fade seeking their missing companions Alistair and Isabela. The pair confront Isabela in a nightmare in which she has joined the Qun and attacks, no longer recognizing them. Varric and Maevaris subdue her while Aurelian Titus appears and summons demons to attack the trio, stating "Imagine it. Mages sculpting dreams. Dreams sculpting reality. The Old Gods. The Dragon Gods. We shall become them." The trio flees as Varric adjusts his personal narrative to protest Isabela's easy seduction by the Fade.

The action continues as Varric is tempted by a dream of his lost love, Bianca Davri, who is seeking passage out of Ostheim for them. He rejects it and finds Maevaris dreaming of a life of luxury with her late husband, Thorold. She too knows it is false but is reluctant to give up the fantasy until Varric reminds her what Aurelian Titus did to her in Ath Velanis. The pair reunite with Isabela and other lost dreamers and finally locate Alistair and Maric in their own dream. In this fantasy Maric is king and Alistair his acknowledged child, having apparently never become a Grey Warden. The issue ends with Maric informing the party that they are not welcome in his lands.

Chapter Three

Alistair, Isabela and Varric found and ambushed Aurelian Titus, who summons an army of demons to protect himself. While the two groups are fighting, Maric appears and challenges the magister, who unsuccessfully tries to use his new powers only to be beheaded by Maric who explains that being his "dream" Titus could not harm him. After that, Alistair and the others decide to leave the Fade, but Maric refuses - he states that Alistair will be a good king and in the Fade he has all that he needs, being also able to see all the people he cares for, but that are no longer in the real world. Alistair, however, encourages Maric to return, saying that he deserves a second chance to live and that he will help him. Upon returning to the real world, however, Alistair sees that Maric's body was in critical condition and is convinced by Varric that the only thing he could do was to put Maric out of his misery. Alistair shatters the "Magrallen", freeing his father, but also turning his decaying body into dust. After this, all the members of the group go their separate ways, with Alistair returning to Ferelden to do his best to be a good and proper king.